My Great Escape Led Me to You (Emily Blair) novel Chapter 1001

The man clicked his tongue. “I’ve never seen you like this. Waiting around for two hours just for a text.” He playfully thumped Tristan’s chest. “Who knew our Tristan Davis was such a romantic?”

Tristan just smiled, not saying a word.

His friend, eager for more details, pressed on. “Hey, tell me about your girlfriend. I haven’t heard anything about her. Is she pretty?”

Tristan shot him a look that was half-amused, half-warning. “I’d like her whether she was pretty or not.” He didn’t appreciate anyone, even a friend, judging Emily by her looks; it felt like a slight against her.

Sensing Tristan’s protective tone, the man chuckled. “Whoa, touchy subject. Can’t even ask a simple question? You’re really protective of her, huh?”

Tristan’s small, quiet smile was all the confirmation he needed, so the man wisely dropped the topic.

Just then, the office door swung open again, revealing a tall, vibrant woman. She wore her hair in a high ponytail, dressed in a khaki trench coat, tight jeans, a fitted white sweater, and dark brown boots. She had an air of brisk competence and style.

Her eyes scanned the hallway, and when they landed on Tristan, a smile lit them up. She walked toward him.

“Tristan, what are you still doing here?”

The man, who had been admiring her willowy figure, frowned when she walked straight past him and spoke only to Tristan. “Hey, Penelope Austin! Am I invisible, or am I invisible, or am I just invisible?” he grumbled.

Penelope, not having received an answer from Tristan, finally slanted a look at him, her brows raised in feigned surprise. “Wow, Luke Wright, you’re here too! Sorry, I didn’t see you.”

Luke could tell she was faking and scoffed. “Yeah, yeah, whatever. I won’t hold it against you.” He added sarcastically, “I know you only have eyes for Tristan.”

“You have a girlfriend? Since when?”

Tristan stopped spinning his phone and held it still in his hand, his handsome eyes looking at her calmly. “A little while ago.”

Penelope’s heart sank. A memory seemed to cross Tristan’s mind, and a distinct, fond smile touched his lips. The usual calm in his eyes softened with a gentle warmth. “I confessed to her, and she said yes.”

Penelope’s expression was grim, her lips pressed into a tight line as she stared at him, a stubborn, unyielding light in her eyes. “Who is she? Can I know?”

An awkward silence descended. Luke, caught in the middle, felt a headache coming on for Tristan’s sake.